The Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS MACRO lens was unveiled today as an all-purpose APS-C lens.  No pricing yet, but it should be available in July.

The new lens differs from the non-macro version in magnification ratio, but it also contains new material called Thermally Stable Composite (TSC). TSC is incorporated into the lens barrel and is often compared to polycarbonate. It has a high degree of elasticity and exhibits little variation in its structure in extreme temperature conditions. This means that internal barrel expansion and contraction due to extreme temperature variations is less prevalent.

TSC also contributes to the lens’ size reduction. The non-macro 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 without TSC weighs 22.2 ounces and is 3.1 by 4 inches in diameter, whereas the new macro lens is 16.6 ounces and 2.9 by 3.5 inches in diameter. As a result, this is a more compact, multi-purpose lens for APS-C sized sensor cameras.

More details in the press release below.

Sigma Corporation of America announces new 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens

New Thermally Stable Composite material offers wide range of photography in compact, stabilized, macro lens

Ronkonkoma, NY, June 15, 2012 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce the availability of its new Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens starting in July 2012. Pricing is still pending.

The addition of the 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM speaks to Sigma’s versatile product lineup with this multipurpose zoom lens that offers Optical Stabilization (OS)* and covers wide angle to telephoto to macro photography. It differs from Sigma’s current 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens with its even more compact size, its macro capability with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.9 and the use of Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material currently used only by Sigma.

TSC,…